The corruption rat race

However, the fiasco of Dr Arsalan Iftikhar has allegedly exposed some senior journalists and anchorpersons as paid persons of property tycoon, Malik Riaz. PHOTO: MYRAIQBAL/EXPRESS

Viewers often consider anchorpersons as a panacea for evil in Pakistani society because they make efforts to malign corrupt politicians and their notorious designs under the umbrella of ‘best interest of the masses’.

Following the surfacing of the list with their names as beneficiaries of Malik Riaz’s charity, most journalists are making efforts to arrange talk shows with the investor to clear their records. The only bailout package for journalists is to declare the assets which they demanded from such politicians.

The case provides an opportunity for our countrymen to rethink our political structure and possibly eliminate the clutches of their forefathers, which well-established families employ.

Take for instance, Moonis Elahi, son of ex-Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who was acquitted after facing severe corruption charges in the multibillion National Insurance Company Limited scandal.

Similarly, the prime minister’s son, Abdul Qadir Gilani, faces allegations in the Hajj scandal but the chief investigator is yet to rejoin his case.

Likewise, Musa Gilani, faces charges in the ephedrine case on which the dust has still not settled.

Then, there was the case of Dost Muhammad Khosa in Punjab, son of Sardar Zulfikar Khosa, who left his ministership on allegations that he was involved in his ex-wife’s disappearance and abused his authority as a minister to silence the matter.

If all allegations are washed out in the upcoming elections, it will be a remarkable contribution to the typical political and democratic governance in the history of Pakistan, as all eye to run government affairs in the future as successors of their parents. As the countdown begins, Riaz’s explosion may bring to light the real faces of high stature personalities including politicians, journalists, retired army men, bureaucrats and judicial officials.